Explore Trat

Nestled in Thailand’s eastern corner, Trat Province offers a truly remarkable diving experience across its 52 picturesque islands, including the famed Koh Chang, Koh Mak, and Koh Kood. This region, while popular among travelers, maintains a serene atmosphere, making it ideal for divers seeking unspoilt underwater landscapes. Trat's dive sites burst with vibrant coral reefs teeming with tropical marine life. Divers can expect to encounter a plethora of creatures, from tiny nudibranchs and colorful shrimp to larger marine wonders like barracudas, turtles, reef sharks, and the awe-inspiring whale sharks. Exploring Trat's waters unveils diverse topography, featuring exciting drop-offs, boulders, caves, swim-throughs, and even the intriguing HTMS Chang wreck. Diving in Trat caters to all levels, thanks to its generally mild currents and clear, warm waters, typically between 28°C–30°C/82°F–86°F. The province is a fantastic spot for beginners to acquire their open water certification, while advanced divers can enjoy thrilling explorations. Dive centers abound, offering a variety of options from single dives to full-day boat trips. Liveaboards also provide an immersive experience for those wishing to explore multiple dive sites across the islands. The best diving conditions are often found between March and June, or during the cooler, dry months from November to April, though the allure of Trat's marine life remains constant year-round.

Places to explore

Dive Activity

Diving in Trat Province

Trat Province, located in eastern Thailand, offers a wealth of diving opportunities with its pristine sites and rich marine life. One of the top wreck dives is the HTMS Chang, a former navy vessel turned artificial reef, providing divers with the chance to explore its vast structures teeming with marine life. This site is accessible both from shore and via liveaboard, catering to all levels of divers.

For those interested in shore dives, Koh Wai presents a unique experience with its easy access and vibrant coral gardens. Night dives are particularly enchanting here, as nocturnal creatures emerge, showcasing behaviors rarely seen during the day. The balance between shore and liveaboard options ensures that divers can enjoy a variety of experiences, from leisurely shore exploration to more adventurous liveaboard trips exploring remote sites.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Trat Province

Trat Province, located in eastern Thailand, boasts diverse marine life, especially around its coral reefs. Common reef fish include butterflyfish, angelfish, and clownfish, often spotted by divers exploring these vibrant ecosystems. The reefs are teeming with life, offering an underwater spectacle of color and movement.

Seasonal highlights in Trat include sightings of blacktip reef sharks and green sea turtles, more frequently encountered in the dry season from November to March. Divers may also encounter blue-spotted rays hidden in the sandy seabeds. While these species are not guaranteed on every dive, their presence is a seasonal delight, drawing marine enthusiasts to the region.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

Barracuda

376 Sightings
J
61
F
78
M
50
A
32
M
7
J
4
J
0
A
9
S
14
O
11
N
60
D
50

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Moray Eel

193 Sightings
J
26
F
21
M
18
A
14
M
0
J
5
J
0
A
5
S
20
O
12
N
48
D
24

Whale Shark

67 Sightings
J
46
F
11
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
10

Green Turtle

36 Sightings
J
0
F
12
M
1
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
5
A
5
S
1
O
1
N
8
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 8

Bannerfish

237 Sightings
J
41
F
38
M
27
A
0
M
8
J
1
J
0
A
1
S
3
O
11
N
63
D
44

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Butterfly Fish

207 Sightings
J
41
F
39
M
18
A
0
M
7
J
1
J
1
A
9
S
2
O
5
N
56
D
28

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Grouper/Basslets

196 Sightings
J
39
F
35
M
21
A
15
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
3
S
3
O
9
N
33
D
37

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Angelfish

176 Sightings
J
19
F
38
M
14
A
2
M
10
J
0
J
1
A
5
S
5
O
7
N
50
D
25

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

Jackfish

158 Sightings
J
40
F
33
M
11
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
7
N
32
D
35

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

Parrotfish

148 Sightings
J
23
F
32
M
2
A
3
M
8
J
3
J
1
A
8
S
4
O
6
N
35
D
23

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

Snapper

132 Sightings
J
19
F
19
M
10
A
0
M
2
J
2
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
8
N
32
D
39

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Clownfish

105 Sightings
J
12
F
19
M
6
A
3
M
7
J
2
J
5
A
8
S
4
O
11
N
25
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Goatfish

91 Sightings
J
11
F
16
M
13
A
0
M
9
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
25
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

86 Sightings
J
15
F
24
M
1
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
1
A
4
S
0
O
4
N
20
D
15

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Damselfish

53 Sightings
J
1
F
16
M
5
A
0
M
5
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
3
N
18
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

Triggerfish

52 Sightings
J
3
F
16
M
12
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
5
N
8
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Pufferfish

50 Sightings
J
4
F
4
M
1
A
4
M
5
J
2
J
3
A
4
S
3
O
1
N
7
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

Stingrays

39 Sightings
J
3
F
8
M
4
A
1
M
3
J
1
J
1
A
3
S
2
O
4
N
9
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

Surgeonfish

35 Sightings
J
0
F
5
M
6
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
2
S
0
O
2
N
16
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

Lionfish

32 Sightings
J
0
F
4
M
2
A
0
M
3
J
0
J
1
A
2
S
4
O
7
N
7
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

Boxfish

27 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
2
S
2
O
4
N
1
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

Soldierfish

26 Sightings
J
2
F
13
M
1
A
0
M
7
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

Nudibranch

24 Sightings
J
2
F
3
M
1
A
0
M
3
J
0
J
0
A
4
S
4
O
1
N
4
D
2

The best Months to dive in Trat Province

Trat Province offers favorable diving conditions year-round, making it a popular destination for divers. The water temperatures generally range from 27°C–30°C/81°F–86°F, ensuring comfortable diving. Visibility in the waters around Trat can range from 10 to 20 meters/33 to 66 feet, although this can vary with the seasons.

The best time for diving is typically from November to April when the weather is calm with minimal rainfall, providing clearer visibility and gentler currents. During the monsoon season, from May to October, stronger winds and currents may affect diving conditions, leading to reduced visibility and access to certain dive sites. Despite these challenges, diving is feasible throughout the year with proper planning and awareness of the local conditions.

Dive Centers

Dive Sites